Players of the Week v. Toronto

WATERLOO , ON — The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s football team has announced their Players of the Week following their Week 1 victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues on Sunday afternoon.

The coaching staff has selected quarterback Michael Knevel (offence), defensive end Rashari Henry (defence) and defensive back Adem Ireyomi (special teams) as the week one Laurier Football Players of the Game.

Knevel, who is in his first full season as the team’s starting quarterback, set a career-high in passing yards with 341, while completing 25 of his 39 passes on the day. The Brantford native engineered efficient, sustained drives as the Golden Hawks built a lead through the first half and would connect with receiver Carson Ouellette for a 52-yard touchdown pass to make the game 25-0 early in the third quarter. Knevel also added four rushing yards on his only attempt of the game.

On defence, Henry was a constant presence in the Varsity Blues’ backfield, recording his first sack of the season and adding two tackles that went for a loss. The fourth year out of Ottawa — who will be among the players the Hawks will rely on to replace Kwaku Boateng’s production on the defensive line — helped lead the charge as the Laurier defence not only held Toronto off the scoreboard, but kept them to just 75 yards of total offence.

Dressing for the first time in his OUA career, Ireyomi was a force on the Hawks’ special teams units Sunday. The second-year student out of Waterloo Ont., made a number of key blocks in the return game — helping the Hawks rack up 260 net return yards — and added 1.5 tackles.

The Laurier Football Players of the Week are presented by OneCard and the Laurier Bookstore.